the beginning of the end

[OT from cottage renovations]

---

this is the last day in the field, time to get my aching self into motion and back to the job site.  yesterday was a big push and a lot got done, but several of us are paying for it this morning in a direct physical way. 

by the end of the day we won't have finished our little project, just one home out of the many, but we will have boosted it along and next week others will follow to do more.  incremental progress is the only kind that can be achieved; this morning I'm feeling even more finite than usual.  but it's worthwhile to be doing this, and how anybody could sustain it for the longer stretches that many have is beyond me at this particular moment. 

a quick word (well, two of them) to anybody who might be reading this among those whose contributions made this trip possible: thank you.  we are as much the beneficiaries of your generosity as those to whom our efforts are explicitly directed. 

---

pictoral coverage resumes this evening. 

Thursday: big push

[OT from cottage renovations]

Thursday was a big push indeed: we got on a roll and things were just coming together.  as a result we found ourselves working past the nominal quitting time and into the dinner hour back at the camp.  it was worth it, though, to make that much progress. 

we did knock off shortly before sunset, though, out of respect for the practical limitation that the site has an external power feed but no live circuits into the house.  we came back to the camp late, tired, dirty and pleased. 

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)

---

Gautier, MS

Hutch with flooring transition piece


Ed and Ruben, hanging cabinets


Elise and Violet at the burn pile out back


Hutch and Mary setting tiles

last push

[OT from cottage renovations]

our last day was another big push.  though we did end up leaving plenty of things for following groups to do, that was within both plan and expectation and we were well pleased with the amount that got done. 

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)

---

Vancleave, MS

routine facility cleaning tasks are assigned to each volunteer group and rotated throughout the week.  this morning was our group's turn to look after the hallways (or to take a picture of the activity in lieu of doing anything). 

mopping the hallways: Ruben and Violet

---

Gautier, MS

the days are not without their moments of humour.  down at the job site this morning started off with a reminder that it's an excellent idea to secure the bucket against torque when mixing grout. 

splat!


pastor Judy grouting


hanging cabinets

no, Ed isn't hitting Ruben on the back of his head with a hammer; it's aimed at a shim. 

image: Judy Smith Young

Ed and another volunteer holding up a hanging cabinet



birthday boy David prepping wallboard for a splice


Ridge, casting a larger than life shadow

---

we're tired as heck and our working clothes are filthy, but it's a good tired and good dirt.  it was remarked that many of us came "pre injured" but for the most part we were able to work safely, with only one cut needing a bandage, one trip to the local Doc-in-the-box and one person who was invalided out for a half day. 

further artsy images were collected over the course of yesterday; they will follow in a separate post some time tomorrow.